§ 25. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether the Persian Government has decided to lay the Anglo-Persian Agreement before the Persian Mejliss for ratification; when His Majesty's Government intends to lay it before the British Parliament for ratification; and whether the Russian Government has been notified of the termination of the Anglo-Russian Agreement with regard to Persia entered into by Viscount Grey?
§ Mr. BONAR LAW (Leader of the House)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the Anglo-Persian Agreement has already been presented to Parliament in Command Paper 300 of 1919, and does not require ratification. In reply to the last part, the hon. 14 and gallant Member is aware that diplomatic relations have not been established between His Majesty's Government and a Russian Government, and no statement has been made in the sense indicated. In the meantime His Majesty's Government regard the agreement as in suspense.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYDoes that mean that this Parliament is to have less powers than the Persian Mejliss, and also may I ask whether, because we do not recognise the present Government of Russia, we are going to tear up the agreement made by Viscount Grey before the War?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAs regards the last question, I said it is in suspense. As regards the comparative powers of this Parliament and the Mejliss, I would back this Parliament.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWhy was it not submitted to us for ratification or discussion, in view of the fact that this may lead us to vast commitments and the loss of valuable lives?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe agreement has been before the House for more than a year. If the House desired to discuss it, surely it could have done so.
§ Captain W. BENNIs it not a fact that we have already violated vis-à-vis Russia this agreement?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNot that I am aware of.